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Messier Named to 2004 Eastern All-Star Team

by
Staff Writer
/ New York Rangers

The NHL announced the 15 reserves named to the Eastern Conference lineup for the 2004 NHL All-Star Game during tonight's Rangers-Flyers broadcast on ESPN and TSN and the group included Rangers captain Mark Messier.

For Messier, it will mark his 15th All-Star appearance. The 43-year old leads New York with 13 goals and ranks fifth on the club with 25 points.

Messier, who will become only the fifth player to appear in 15 or more All-Star games, will also become the third oldest to play in an All-Star Game when he suits up on February 8 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Only Gordie Howe, who was 51 when he represented Hartford in 1980, and St. Louis defenseman Doug Harvey, 44 in 1969, were older All-Stars.

Messier, who passed Howe on the NHL's career points list earlier this season, is second only to Wayne Gretzky with 1,869 points.

His 1,727 career NHL games trails only Howe on the career list. Messier is tied with former defenseman Ray Bourque for the most All-Star assists with 13 and ranks fourth with 18 career points.